Efficacy and tolerability of a topical product containing a mixture of 5% lactic acid and 20% propylene glycol in chronic eczema and palmoplantar keratoderma

Amato L., Chiarini C., Berti S., Fabbri P.

Department of Dermatological Sciences University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Aim. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy and tolerability of a topical dermatological product containing a mixture of lipids (vaseline, liquid paraffin, cethearyl alcohol) associated with 5% lactic acid and 20% propylene glycol (Osyra®, Yamanouchi Pharma S.p.A.) in 2 common hyperkeratotic skin diseases: xerotic skin following chronic eczema (allergic contact dermatitis) and palmoplantar keratoderma.Methods. The study was conducted on 30 patients (17 females and 13 males aged 30 to 82 years): 12 patients presented a palmoplantar keratoderma and 18 patients presented xerotic skin following chronic eczema. The topical product was applied twice daily on lesional skin for 1 month. On days 1 and 30, dryness, roughness, scaling, rhagades and hyperkeratosis were evaluated and scored from 0 (absent) to 3 (severe). Skin capacitance was measured with a CM 420 Corneometer on days 1 and 30 on palmoplantar surfaces in keratoderma and on extensor surfaces of lower limbs in xerotic skin following chronic eczema.Results. After 30 days of treatment, the evaluation of morphologic parameters shows significant reduction of hyperkeratosis, scaling, rhagades in the palmoplantar keratoderma. In the xerotic skin following chronic eczema, the treatment showed a significant reduction in dryness, roughness and scaling.Conclusion. Corneometric investigation confirmed a significant increase in skin hydration values. The favourable results obtained with this product are presumably correlated with the numerous functional activities of lactic acid and propylene glycol, such as keratolysis, hydration, restoration of lipid barrier and stimulating neoangiogenesis.